28th JUNE, 2023

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MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (MOEF&CC) NOTIFIES
DRAFT GREEN CREDIT PROGRAMME (GCP) IMPLEMENTATION RULES 2023

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MoEF&CC has decided to institute GCP under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and issued
these draft rules. TREE

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PLANTATION
Draft GCP Implementation Rules 2023
Green Credit (GC) means a singular unit of an incentive provided for a specified activity,
WATER
delivering a positive impact on the environment. CONSERVATION
Objectives of GCP:

STRUCTURE FOR GCP

SUSTAINABLE

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Create a market based mechanism for providing GCs to individuals, organizations, local
bodies, gram panchayats, private sectors etc. for environment positive actions. AGRICULTURE
Create mass movement around environment positive actions and realize the vision of
Mission LiFE. WASTE
MANAGEMENT
GCs will be tradable outcomes and will be made available for trading on a domestic market

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platform.
AIR POLLUTION
An activity generating GCs may also get Carbon Credits from the same activity under the REDUCTION

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carbon market.
MANGROVE
The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education is the administrator of the GCP, CONSERVATION AND
responsible for its implementation, management and monitoring. RESTORATION
GCP was announced during the Union Budget 2023, aligning with India’s climate goals under
Paris Agreement and realizing the vision of “Mission LiFE”. ECOMARK

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LABELLING
GCP aims to leverage a competitive market-based approach for Green Credits thereby
incentivising voluntary environmental actions of various stakeholders.

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SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
Article 6 of Paris Agreement allows for carbon trading through market mechanisms. AND INFRASTRUCTURE

64TH GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY (GEF) COUNCIL MEETING IN BRAZIL

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The GEF Council approved the disbursement of $1.4 billion to accelerate efforts to tackle the climate, biodiversity, and pollution crises.
The funding package includes support for 136 countries and will enable them to advance most of the 23 targets of the
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The Framework was adopted at Convention on Biological Diversity COP15 in 2022.
About GEF
GEF is a multi stakeholder partnership to tackle various environmental issues established during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit of UNFCCC.
GEF funding is provided by participating donor countries and is mobilized through a replenishment process every four years.
It serves as "financial mechanism" to five conventions
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Minamata Convention on Mercury.
Structure of GCF:
The GEF Assembly is composed of all 185 member countries, or participants including India.
The GEF Council is the main governing body, with 32 members appointed by constituencies of GEF member countries.
The GEF Secretariat is based in Washington, D.C.
 8468022022 www.visionias.in

INDIAN OCEAN DIPOLE (IOD) AND EL-NINO

While the El Nino is already firmly established in the Pacific Ocean this year, a positive IOD
development is also being forecasted by different meteorological agencies.
IOD is defined by the difference in sea surface temperature between the eastern and western
sides of the Indian Ocean.
Relation between El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and IOD
The air circulation in the Indian Ocean is from west to east, and in opposite directions at

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the upper level.
In a normal year warm water from the west Pacific cross over to the Indian Ocean and
make the air rise and strengthening the air circulation.
During EL nino, the western side of the Pacific is cooler than normal because of which the
Indian Ocean side also gets cooler and helps in the development of positive IOD.

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Similarly negative IOD is associated with LA-Nina.

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Researchers believe that while external factors such as ENSO can trigger IOD, many times
is caused by the local circulations.
A positive IOD helps rainfall along the African coast, and Indian subcontinent while
suppressing it in the eastern Indian Ocean, and the opposite happens during a negative IOD.
Compared with ENSO events, the impact of IODs is much weaker but they can subdue the

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impact of ENSO

WORLD DRUG REPORT 2023 INDIA-US DIGITAL TRADE

RELEASED BY THE UN OFFICE ON U.S. industry body Computer & Communications Industry

DRUGS AND CRIME (UNODC)

Association (CCIA) has flagged India’s “protectionist” approach to

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US digital services providers
The UNODC is a global leader in the fight against illicit Current status of India-U.S. technology trade:

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drugs and international crime headquartered in Vienna.
U.S. is India’s biggest overall trading partner with bilateral trade
It provides technical assistance, research and of $128.55 billion in 2022-23 in India’s favor.
normative support to Member States
U.S. ran a $27 billion deficit in trade in digital services with India
Key findings of the report in 2020.

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23% increase in the previous decade in the number of Concerns in India-US Digital trade relations
people using drugs (296 million) globally.
Taxation: Double taxation due to increased taxation in the form

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45% increase in the past decade in people suffering of equalization levy at a 6% rate and 2% tax on e-commerce
from drug use disorder(39.5 million). operators.
The report stressed on IT Rules 2021: Problematic Policies like IT Rules 2021 leading to
Drug-related disparities and inequalities: increased compliance burden like appointing Grievance redressal

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Inequality and social and economic disparities
continue to drive and be driven by the drug
phenomenon.
Disparities between the global North and South,
urban and rural settings, and across subpopulations
all contribute to the harm from drugs.
Illicit drug economies accelerating conflicts, human
rights abuses, and environmental devastation
Illegal logging, mining and land occupation along
with wildlife trafficking leading to environmental
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS TO
officer, compliance officer etc.
Geospatial Data: Discriminatory Regulatory practices like
restriction on sharing geospatial data.
Draft data protection law: Restriction on cross border data
transfer under Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2022.
Authoritative licensing requirements under the proposed
Draft Telecommunication Bill 2022.
Tech partnership through Initiative on Critical and

Emerging Technology (ICET)

INCREASE DIGITAL TRADE

damage like in Amazon forest.

Illicit drug trade finances non-state armed and
insurgency groups in the Sahel region.
Prioritizing public health in regulating medical use
of controlled drugs: Without adequate framework
psychedelic drugs meant to medicinal use it could be
diverted to illegal drug markets.
Increasing dominance of synthetic drugs: Criminals
producing synthetic drugs like methamphetamine,
Fentanyl create challenges for law and enforcement.
MoU signed between the two states on the
Semiconductor Supply Chain and Innovation Partnership
Joint Task Forces to focus on the Open RAN network and
research and development in 5G/6G technologies.
A joint fund for the commercialization of Artificial
Intelligence.
 8468022022 www.visionias.in

SEVEN NEW PRODUCTS FROM UTTAR PRADESH GET GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION (GI)
TAG
GI Tag Details
Amroha Dholak • Musical instrument made of natural wood hollow blocks fitted with animal skin, mostly goatskin.

Baghpat Home Furnishings • Products includes cotton handloom bedsheets, curtains, cushions, etc known for traditional geometric patterns.

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Kalpi Handmade Paper • Manufactured in an eco-friendly manner using various types of paper scraps and not wood.

Mahoba Gaura Patthar Hastshilp • Durable stone craft made of radiant colored and off-white stone, Gaura.

Mainpuri Tarkash • Known for its fine inlay work with brass wire, strips and motifs on dark sheesham extensively for furniture and boxes and
mainly used for khadaous (wooden sandals)

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Sambhal horn craft • Handicraft art products are made from horns procured from dead animals making it environment and animal friendly.

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Barabanki Handloom • The main products are Scarfs, Shawls and stoles. The cluster is famous for weaving during the nawab's period ofLucknow.

GI tag is a type of intellectual property right granted to a product originating from a specific geographical region.
Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai grants the GI tag under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and
Protection) Act, 1999.
GI Tag is valid for a decade, after which it can be renewed for another 10 years.

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The first product to get a GI tag in India was the Darjeeling tea in 2004.

ALSO IN NEWS

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Recently, a slowdown in startup funding was highlighted by a report released by Huron named ASK
private wealth Huron India future Unicorn Index, 2023

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Key findings
The overall number of unicorns declined from the previous year.
There were 51 gazelles and 96 cheetahs in 2023 in India.
Different Categories of Startups

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Types of Startup Unicorns - Startups valued at over $1 billion.
Gazelles - Startups valued at over $500 million and are likely to turn unicorns in three years.

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Cheetahs - Startups valued at $250 million and are likely to turn unicorn in five years.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways launched ‘Sagar Samajik Sahayyog’ - the new guidelines of
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for ports.
According to the new guideline

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CSR Budget will be mandatorily created through a Board Resolution as a percentage of net profit.
20% of CSR expenses must be earmarked to the Sainik Kalyan Board.
Sagar Samajik
Sahayyog CSR require certain companies to mandatorily spend at least 2% of their average net profit of the
immediately preceding three financial years on CSR activities under Section 135 of the Companies
Act, 2013.
Recently Global Competitiveness Index was published by the International Institute for Management
Development (IMD).
About the Index
Denmark, Ireland, and Switzerland have been named the top three among 64 economies measured for
their global competitiveness.
Global competitiveness India dropped 3 spots to finish 40th but is still in a better position than it was in 2019-2021.
index The three main measures that helped India in its score are exchange rate stability, compensation
levels, and improvements in pollution control.
Note: The Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) is a yearly report published by the World Economic Forum.
Burmese peacock softshell turtles is endemic to Myanmar.
It is one of five species in the genus Nilssonia.
It is an oviparous species, meaning it lays eggs externally which then hatch after an incubation period.
IUCN status: Critically Endangered
Burmese peacock Threats: highly sought after in East Asian food markets, habitat loss, accidental captures by
softshell turtles fishermen,etc.

DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW | CHANDIGARH | GUWAHATI 3/4

 8468022022 www.visionias.in

Recently, the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched the “ Report
Fish Disease App”.
The app was developed by CAR- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR) under
National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD).
National Surveillance NSPAAD was launched by The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry
Programme for Aquatic and Dairying.
Animal Diseases It is implemented under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna.
(NSPAAD) It collects information on the distribution and occurrence of aquatic animal diseases to

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rapidly detect new and exotic infectious diseases in aquatic animals.
The World Resources Institute (WRI) and the University of Maryland updated GFR on the Global
Forest Watch platform.
Key Findings:
Tropical primary forest loss in 2022 totaled 4.1 million hectares, the equivalent of losing 11

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Global Forest football fields of forest per minute.
Review (GFR) This forest loss produced 2.7 gigatonnes (Gt) of CO2 emissions, equivalent to India's annual

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fossil fuel emissions.
Indian-origin expert Aarti Holla-Maini was appointed as the Director of the UNOOSA.

United Nations Office for Outer Space HQ:

Affairs (UNOOSA) Vienna, Austria

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Genesis: Initially created as a small expert unit within the UN Secretariat in 1958,
it was established in its present form in 1993.
Membership: 102 countries including India.
United

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Nations Office Objective: : To foster global collaboration in the peaceful utilization and
exploration of outer space, as well as the effective application of space science and
for Outer Space Affairs

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technology to achieve sustainable economic and social progress.
(UNOOSA)
Functions: It assists any UN Member States to establish legal and regulatory
frameworks to govern space activities and strengthens the capacity of developing
countries to use space science technology and applications for development.

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Recently QS World University Ranking was released highlighting India’s progress with IIT Bombay at

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rank 147.
QS World University Ranking is released by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds).
The rankings are based on indicators taking into account academic reputation, employer
reputation and faculty research.
QS World Three new metrics namely were also included in this year’s rankings.

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University Sustainability
Ranking Employment Outcomes
International Research Network

Recently Indian Home Minister met with the Meira Paibis as part of his meetings with various civil
society groups.
Meira paibis or “women torch bearers is a women's social movement in Manipur formed in 1977.
The Meira Paibis are loosely organised and have no rigid hierarchy or structure, or any overt political leanings.
They are Meitei women from all walks of life in the Imphal Valley.
Meira paibis Role: initially focused on fighting alcoholism and drug abuse has now expanded to countering
human rights violations and the development of society at large.

Recent research focuses on Tam Pà Ling Cave of Laos for studying the arrival of modern humans in
mainland Asia.
The age of the lowest fossil, suggests modern humans arrived in this region between 86,000 and
68,000 years ago.
This evidence from Tam Pà Ling has pushed back the timing of Homo sapiens arrival in Southeast Asia.
A tooth some 150,000 years old belonging to a Denisovan was also found here.
Tam Pà Ling
Denisovan are the now-extinct human relatives otherwise known only from remains found in
Siberia and Tibet.

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